The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) will induct Major Robert Borg, Sarah (Sally) Swift, and Roemer into its Hall of Fame (HOF) at the Salute Gala on November 30, 2006 at the USDF National Convention & Symposium in Kansas City, MO.  Inclusion in the HOF is an honor bestowed on horses and individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the sport of dressage in the U.S.

Major Robert Borg (1913-2005), as well as being a competitor, trained the horses and riders for the early Olympic dressage and 3-day teams from 1948-1956, first as a military officer and then as a civilian. Overshadowing the significant recognition by his Olympic success was the inspiration he brought to all who studied dressage with him following a crippling accident in 1959. 

Sarah (Sally) Swift, author of "Centered Riding," published in 1985, is widely appreciated as allowing, through her teaching, everyone in every body type, on every horse to better enjoy riding in a correct balanced seat with body awareness. Her book "Centered Riding" has sold over 500,000 copies and has been translated into 14 languages. Through four decades of teaching and powerfully influential writing, Sally has made invaluable contributions to the sport of dressage. 

Roemer was one of the first approved Dutch Warmblood breeding stallions imported into the United States in 1985. Roemer moved from a career as an International Grand Prix Jumper in Holland to a Grand Prix Dressage horse in the US with Mary Alice Malone. Listed as the top producing sire of USDF Horses of the Year over an eleven year period in the U.S. (1989-1999). Roemer is the first breeding stallion to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. 

Horses inducted into the HOF are those who have made outstanding contributions to dressage through their competition records in dressage or sport horse breeding, and/or served as ambassadors of the sport.  Individuals inducted into the HOF are those who have made outstanding contributions to the development of dressage in the U.S. through their creativity, originality, vision, and sustained effort.

Each year, the Historical Committee invites USDF members to nominate worthy candidates for the Hall of Fame.  All nominations are thoroughly reviewed, researched, and discussed by the committee.  Only those nominations that receive a unanimous vote are forwarded to the Executive Board for final approval.  A display of all HOF inductees, including the 2006 inductees, will reside at the new Hall of Fame within the USDF National Education Center at the Kentucky Horse Park, where they will be publicly recognized.

Information about the Hall of Fame can be obtained by contacting Kim Sodt at (859) 271-7876 or by e-mail at [email protected].

Next year's nominations for HOF inductees are due to Ms. Sodt, at the USDF office, by May 1, 2007.

Founded in 1973, the United States Dressage Federation is a nonprofit membership organization dedicated to education, recognition of achievement, and promotion of dressage. For more information about USDF membership or programs, visit www.usdf.org, email [email protected], or call (859) 971-2277.